Manna from Heaven
How often can you say you’ve listened to Israelian Metal. Drat! I haven’t, and it was with a bit of trepidation I can tell you. Not only that, its a concept album covering The Old Testament story about the exodus of Israelites from Egypt. Double Drat! Not exactly my idea of musical heaven (apologies no pun intended).
But Amaseffer have pulled off a bit of a coup. They have roped in Mats Leven (ex-Malmsteen) amongst some other vocalists - three Israeli vocalists to be precise, AND Angela Gossow (singing on Midian) to capture the essence of the band’s songs.
‘Slaves For Life’ is a definite mixed bag of fruit of an album, sounding very Middle Eastern, and everything else in between. The band don’t make any apologies for this. If it sounds right, and it fits, then it goes in. It’s a damn good philosophy to have. ‘Slaves For Life’ is to be the first of a trilogy. Based on this debut, albums 2 and 3 are definitely in the offing.
The album uses audio clips which complement the music and take the listener on a long fantastic ride. It’s not always easy on the ears but you must bear with the concept as it unfolds along its journey. Symphonic, and almost ‘film-score’ in its composition, I really could see this being performed on a grander scale. An ‘Operation Mindcrime’ of a story for the modern era and B.C. generation. It’s not up its own backside, this is something which has taken time and consideration to prepare, not at all pushing religion to the listener. Mats Leven excels doing his best Geoff Tate/Charlton Heston impersonations. The album is absolutely choc full of surprises, rising and falling like the tide, and you hear something different with every passing listen. Its an enduring listen, but the end result is well worth the wait . Subtitles would be good also!!! Metal sitars, holy wailing, Michael Kamen/Danny Elfman inspired score, and Moses all wrapped into 70 plus minutes of pure gold
For a debut album this in one excellent debut indeed. This is up there with the recent Demians release which I thought would take some beating. Amaseffer have one powerful release on their hands, its electric charged riffs, complement the story telling. One moment full of brutality and the next, mellow and mesmeric. If they can get this on the road, it would be Manna from Heaven
Yet another fine contender for prog album of the year